The Oldest Arm in Use Today (as well as other fun stories about old gear)

[Rich Cottrell]

Back when I was actually using that arm for paying gigs, I had brought it out to a workshop.

 

Garrett tried it out on the almost stock model 2 sled I was still flying at the time.

 

He said he had not had on a model 2 arm in almost 20 years himself and that he forgot how smooth the early arms were (before they got all loaded up for larger weight ranges)

 

Major cool factor to have Garrett in the old rig even he had mot seen in years, but for me it was just the rig I was able to cut my teeth on.

 

But it is a good reminder that as important as the gear is, you only need a broomstick and a vision.

Rich Cottrell

[Tommy Stork]

Looks like Chris was also using his pro2 sled, which I assume was also a very early # if not the first or second off the line in '97/98

You're right Ron, Chris' sled is also #001, (with fixed post) as well as his prototype vest, (no backstraps). I think Dave Emmerichs has arm, sled and gimbal #002. I've serviced all this gear over the years and all it has ever needed is a good cleaning and it's back to the trenches with it. I'm sure if Erwin Landau alighted upon us he could tell the history of the early PRO numbers. George told me one day in the shop but it's a little fuzzy now. I know Haarhoff, Emmerichs, Mark O'Kane, were in the top five numbers with maybe Colin Anderson, Andrew Rowlands, Randy Nolan and Scott Sakamoto in there somewhere.

[Tommy Stork]

I took pictures of all the original sleds when they would come through but I don't know where I put the files at the moment. I could only find Dave's gimbal.

 

[Tommy Stork]

This is the first vest that Mark O'Kane inspired, (I think). Notice the hip hugging waist pad compared to what we use now.

 

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

My first arm was a model 1 "Single hinge" (Also known as a door hinge) arm with black springs (55lbs capacity) serial number 031. It wasn't until later that the "Gold Springs" came out and bumped us to 63lbs.

 

My PRO arm was in the second or third run of arms. They sold them as fast as they built them and there was a wait list. that PRO arm with it's cutback titanium socket block was the test arm for the Grey spring cartridges and the infamous "I flew 92" PRO Cinegear event. That was a 13+ year old PRO arm (at the time) with all original parts flying 92lbs. total workhorse and one of the best equipment decisions I ever made

[Tommy Stork]

I guess Andrew was a little later; #008 on the gimbal and #035 on the sled.

[Louis Puli SOC]

Here is a still I took of a few arm I put together for a workshop I was teaching at .

[Henry Gelhart]

Is that an AR15 behind the vest? haha

[Beau Cuizon]

LOUIS: That's an awesome shot of the "Evolution of Arms"...I don't think I've ever seen an early model arm up close...that must be the "silver bones" and "door hinge" elbow that the guys were mentioning in the thread earlier. It's interesting how some things change, and how some stay the same, like the socket block, the general geometry of the arms, and the use of cables/pulleys...until the PRO arm that is...

 

TOMMY: Thanks for posting all those pics! It was a nice touch, for those guys to put name plates and such on their gear. It's also fascinating to see those early s/n numbers as well. To think that is where the whole PRO brand, and reputation started...what are the s/n numbers up to now? In the hundreds, I would assume? Also, to echo Henry's comment...that DOES appear to be an AR type rifle in the background of that vest. Hopefully you weren't testing the ballistic stopping powers of said vest. i hear those PRO vests are well made..but to stop rounds from an AR, that would be ridiculous!

 

Also...question for you, since you're in thread, and you seem to know a bunch about PRO gear..., and if you don't mind my asking...I understand the PRO design philosophies are a little different from the CP/Tiffen philosophies...in regards to the arms, mechanically speaking, what are the differences, and why did they deviate from what some may consider a highly successful methodology in arm design (in the 3/3a, Master/Ultra type)?

 

I apologize if that's a noob question, but I'm new to most of this stuff, and I'm just trying to learn as much as I can!

[Tommy Stork]

Hey Beau, the nameplates are something PRO does for every operator. When you order your PRO arm, sled and vest someday, your name will be on a nameplate to attach to your gear.

 

I can't answer your question about the philosophical differences in design between PRO and CP, (or anyone else for that matter) because I haven't spent any meaningful time with those other companies to articulate to you what their philosophies are. I know that PRO's philosophy behind design, the obvious answer of "awesome" notwithstanding, is kept in the same vault as the recipe for the secret sauce.

 

I know this is the oldest arm post but I get carried away when old gear is being talked about, therefore the photos of the sled vest and gimbal. I'll not deviate henceforth. Only arms.

[Beau Cuizon]

No apologies needed, there Tommy. At least not to me, anyways... I love this kind of stuff. As far as I'm concerned, keep posting, if you think it's relevant. I'm a history buff myself, so I think it's great that you're taking pictures, and documenting things for posterity. Sometimes the most trivial documentation can turn out to be insanely valuable down the road. And there's always some kind of story that goes with the pictures, and that's the real valuable stuff. Thanks for sharing!

[Tommy Stork]

I wish Erwin would come around because he has a near encyclopedic knowledge of old gear including arms and the timing of when what was released. Erwin?... Erwin?...

[RonBaldwin]

I LOVE seeing the original stuff and really low sn's! The guys were breaking new ground back then so it is really impressive how good their ideas were to still be around and working hard (and copied by all) to this day! Looking at the Pro2...how many other sleds have you seen with the front battery angled forward? Ask why, see if they know ;-) . Interesting that Chris goes with a solid post. I always wanted to try that! The only time I ever extend mine is for low mode.

 

I guess the Pro vests are just into the 500's by now (my friend Jelani's vest is a few months old and #491). As far as the arms, Aaron Medick's month old arm is in the 640's. I have Bob Ulland's old vest, it's #14 (my arm is #126 from 2000) and the chest piece has a different bend in it than current models.

 

As far as the older CP arms -- I think the silver bones are cast aluminum, not machined? I had the old door hinge in my model 2 arm when I got it...swapped it out for the 3a articulating hinge. It blew a spring in 2000 and bruised my elbow as parts of the spring shot out the rear. Sounded like a gunshot (testicles are still retracted). That arm became Hugo's prototype for his silver spring arm. I don't remember the #, but I think it was in the 50's?

[Kevin Andrews SOC]

My Titan is #652 and I believe I got it just before the new lead time went into effect.

[Henry Gelhart]

My Pro II sled is #81, so probably a pre 2000 edition